Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Ludwik's face, usually so composed and alluring, suddenly went as white as a sheet.

"What did you say?"

"She must have misunderstood. She thought the baby was yours and Florence's. She confronted Shane and then just left. We've been looking for her with Mr. Nelson all afternoon. At first, I was scared to tell you.

But now, Shane has reached out to the Lippert family, the Sheldon Group, and Brew Hill's Sheldon family. Danny and I checked Delight Mansion. Every place she might have gone, we've looked.

But she's gone, Dad. She's not coming home. She's vanished!

What do we do? She must be heartbroken, misunderstanding what happened with Danny and me. I'm afraid she might do something drastic." "Sammy... Sammy!"

Ludwik's strong features were like a brewing storm, his hair in disarray. He called to the obviously distressed Sammy, "Shh, calm down. Listen to your dad!"

"Dad... it's my fault, isn't it? I shouldn't have driven her away. Maybe we shouldn't have kept the truth from her about the baby from the start. Now it's such a big misunderstanding. I don't know if we can explain it to her. I don't know if she can forgive Danny and me..."

"I'll find her." Ludwik abruptly extended his long leg and kicked the front seat, "Stop the car!"

"Ludwik?" Parker's voice crackled through the phone, confused but aware that Whitney must have seen the 'baby'.

This was bad. Why did this have to happen now?

Parker frowned deeply, quickly pulling the car over to the side of the road.

Ludwik's brow was furrowed, a storm brewing in his eyes as he reassured his son, "This all started with me, so let me handle it. Don't panic. You and Danny go back to the Lippert family. Ensure your safety first.

I'll find your mom. Whatever explanation she needs, I'll give it. Maybe it's finally time to be honest with her."

"Mom didn't even go to Aunt Yael, which means she doesn't want to talk to anyone about it. She's bottling it up, and I'm really scared she might do something reckless. It's already dark."

Sammy bit his lip, trying not to cry, worry etched all over his face.

"I know." Ludwik shared the same searing anxiety, the pain like needles piercing his usually steely heart. Anything involving Whitney always required his utmost care.

He had planned to keep it hidden for just a few more days, but she discovered it now.

With a harsh twist of his dark brows, he looked up at Parker with eyes filled with determination.

Parker's phone rang, the call on speaker. It was someone tailing Bryce's car. "Sir, why have you stopped? It's forty-five minutes to the airport."

"I haven't stopped, reinforcements are on the way. Keep close on him!"

After hanging up, Parker turned to the tall figure in the back seat, "Ludwik, you can't leave now."

Ludwik was restless, "I have to. Whitney's missing."

Parker frowned, "This is a critical moment. You need to oversee everything! We don't know what Bryce might be planning. He's heading to the airport, but what if he has another trick up his sleeve? I can't do this without your insight!"

Ludwik's hand was already on the door handle. He glanced deeply at Parker, his eyes cold and resolute, "You go on ahead. For me, nothing is more important than Whitney. I can't imagine her pain seeing the baby without knowing the truth.

She left the hospital alone, didn't even see Danny and Sammy. She must be extremely hurt. If I don't find her now, it's like abandoning her all over again. Parker, do you understand?"

"I understand that Whitney's situation is crucial too. It affects your future with her and your daughter's well-being. But Bryce and Florence... you've been planning this for so long. The mysterious person is finally back..."

Ludwik opened the car door,

stepping out with determination, "The mysterious person will

definitely return today. Since Bryce is heading to the airport, that's likely where the rendezvous is.

Go now. I'll be back as soon as I can. Keep tight on him, don't lose sight! No matter what he tries, you're the best at handling it."

With a slam, the car door shut, and outside, Ludwik was already moving swiftly.

Parker could see how urgent this was for Ludwik; Whitney's situation had thrown him into a state of real anxiety.

She was the mother of his three children, the woman he held dear, so Parker understood his urgency.noveldrama

Taking a deep breath, Parker's eyes turned steely and determined as he hit the gas, speeding towards the airport, continuing the pursuit of Bryce.

After leaving the children's hospital, Whitney's mind was a whirlwind, her eyes bloodshot, making it impossible to think straight.

She drove, the car gaining speed.

She narrowly avoided a collision, forcing her to brake sharply at the roadside.

Breathing heavily, sunlight stinging her eyes, her heart ached as she stared blankly at the bustling street, realizing she had nowhere to go.

She couldn't return to Delight Mansion, not wanting to worry her uncle and Aunt Yael.

The Sheldon family was out too, her father was there.

But the shock, disappointment, anger, and hurt she felt - who could she even talk to about it?

How could she even begin to explain?

After thinking for what seemed like forever, she felt like the most foolish woman.

Why was she so upset? Did she even have the right to be?

Ludwik and she weren't in a relationship anymore, no marriage, no romantic ties.

If he brought back a daughter with Florence, what of it?

There was no moral issue, and emotionally, what claim did she have?

Men, after all, could be soft-hearted, or maybe it was just a primal instinct to continue the family line.

Well, since the situation was what it

was, there was no point in denying it. Despite the wild night with Florence and how the whole thing came about, he decided to keep the baby and raise it.

This, without a doubt, disgusted her beyond belief.

Her emotions were shredded. She had to admit... she still harbored some ridiculous hope for him. She couldn't completely forget their intense past.

She even, at one point, considered reconciling with him. Camilla's persistent matchmaking, along with her dad and uncle's persuasion, almost convinced her it might be worth another shot.

After all, the kids were living at his place, and he had been showing remorse and gentle care lately. He had gone out of his way to help her with those problems, and she mistakenly thought he genuinely wanted to get back together.

But a man's sweet talk is just that sweet talk!

He could deceive her on one hand while taking in his illegitimate daughter on the other.

He could care for her son while still being entangled with Florence.